The Clifton clarion., 1887-03-09
AN INDIAN AUCTION.
CAMP IN THE XAW AGENCY.
A Pony for n Pipc-SeIIing a Dead Braves Effects and Laying
 His Ghost

I witnessed an interesting feature in Indian life q short time ago at one of the camps in the Kaw Agency, Indian Territory. A tent had been erected, and all the effects of a dead brave were deposited in the tent. The Indians were going to hold an auction. At early dawn, before the sun, the Indians gathered around the tent. The auctioneer, stepping out of the tent holding blanket in his hands, began in loud voice to invite bids on the blanket. -Four dollars" sang out an old man who had q patch of yellow paint under his right eye, and sat on the outer edge Of the circle which had now been formed around the tent. q will give you i've" cried one of the Indians sitting in the circle. 'lt is yoIrs," said the auct;oneer, and the bidder, after depositing a d1e bill for the amount, received the blanket. The auctioneer now brought out q pair of beaded leggings, and the bid ding began.
 One thing was noticeable, the number bidding never exceeded two, and the article was invariably knocked down to the second bidder. Moccasins, necklaces, fans of eagle feathers-in fact, the whole para phernalia of a complete Indian outfit, was brought out and sold to the highest bidder. Finally an Indian pipe of red stone, q very large and hr r,I the bidding became lively. Five dollars" was shouted. "Eieht, sang out trader, who, besides your correspondent, was the only paleface ill the audience, and who already saw the pipe in his minds eye hang ing with his other Indian curiosities i; but he was doomel to disappoint- ment when a hungry-looking mem- Der of the circle, who was evidently wanting his breakfast, and was anxious to bring the ceremonies to a c.ose, said: "My brother, that pipe has been smoked in many councils. Our brother who lies buried on yon- der hill," pointing to pile of rocks on q high hill in the distance, "thought much of that pipe. l am not willing it should fall into other hands. My brother, 1 will give a pony for the pipe" These remarks of Old Hungry were received with q few short ye.ls, which denoted great satisfaction.
 At this point member with noth- ing on but breech-clout came dash ing into the circle, holding in his hands skillet filled with live coals. He was followed by another one bearing in his arms lot Cf cedar, which was deposited over the coals. These were followed by the dead Indians relatives-w wife, sister, and children - moaning and wringing their hands. The burning cedar now began to pour forth a volume of smoke, and one by one the members of tine band rushed into the smoke, bending down close to the coIls, turning round and round, with many wild gestures and with outstretched blanket, the smoke at times com pletely hiding them from view. "Come on, my son." said one of the party, taking firm hold on the traders arm, and reluctantly the paleface was drawn into the smoke, where he performed the smoke act to the evident satisfaction of the party. Hastily withdrawing in q fit oi coughing and casping for breath, he was met with many cries of Good, my son! The ghosts will never trouble you" The perform ance was now ended by the auction eer turning over all the receipts of the saie to the re,ations.-lTrih-ne.